Stress and Substance Addiction Among College Students: Understanding the Psychological Triggers
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Substance addiction among college students has emerged as a major public health concern closely associated with rising academic pressure, anxiety and stress. The transitional phase of college life exposes students to numerous physical, psychological and social challenges, which often drive them towards addictive substances as coping mechanisms. This paper aims to understand the psychological triggers linking stress to substance addiction among college students using secondary data from research articles, WHO , CDC reports and mental health studies. This review highlights that emotional instability, peer pressure, poor coping skills, and performance anxiety are key contributors to addiction vulnerability. Findings suggest that stress- induced addictions not only impairs academic performance but also leads to mental health complications such as depression and social withdrawal. The paper concludes that early mental health interventions, stress management programs, and awareness initiatives within college campuses and significantly reduce addiction tendencies among youth.Keywords: Stress, Addiction, College Students, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Coping Mechanisms, Academic Pressure.
Author: Kunjan Pal
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W7103748823
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